Photojournalistic Wedding Photography

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The two main styles are traditional wedding photography and photojournalistic wedding photography. Choosing between the two can be confusing for brides and groom unless they know about each style. Below the two main wedding photography styles that we use are explained.

Traditional Wedding Photography
Traditional wedding photography means that many of the wedding photographs are posed shots in which fancy flashes and lighting is used. The photographer directs and arranges these posed shots and each shot is carefully metered for the best exposure (since posed shots give the photographer more time to insure that it is perfect). Of course traditional wedding photography still includes the cake cutting, vows and all of the important coverage of a wedding day, but posed shots are incorporated into the wedding day (An example of this kind of traditional shot would be the bride and groom holding the cake knife together and smiling for the photographer just before they cut the cake).
Traditional wedding photography was pushed aside for a few years by photojournalistic wedding photography when digital cameras began being used for photographing weddings; however traditional wedding photography is now making a turnaround as people are realizing that posed shots with family and friends are very important. Brides and grooms who had chose photographers that only shot photojournalistic photos began to regret it as they missed those cherished posed shots when looking back at their wedding day photographs. There are two benefits to posed shots. Posed shots insure that you get photographs all the photos that are important to you (the wedding photography checklist). They also insure that you have time to smile the way you want, hold your body the way you want, and put on your best photogenic face (with photojournalistic shots, this isn’t the case as you are being photographed in many cases without you realizing it).
Traditional wedding photography isn’t what it used to be. On its comeback, it has evolved to include more fun and modern wedding shots. For example, instead of only a posed photograph of the wedding party standing and smiling ahead (which is always a great shot to have), the bride and groom may kiss while the bridal party cheers them on. In other words, the “modern” traditional wedding photography has more laid back and fun shots where there is some action in the photo even though it is posed.

Photojournalistic Wedding Photography (Photojournalism)
Photojournalistic photography is shot like how a media journalist photographer (hence the style name) would photograph an event for images in a newspaper. The photographer follows behind the action unobtrusively and photographs the actions and emotions to capture what is happening. Photojournalist photography is a very contemporary style and usually doesn’t include any posed photographs. The wedding photography checklist is rarely used when the photojournalistic style is used. Photographers that are strictly photojournalistic usually will not lug around much lighting or equipment, as they photograph things just as they happen. Usually that is without extra lighting set-ups or directing of the wedding party. Photojournalist photographs are meant to capture details and actions at the speed of the event; therefore, there usually isn’t much time for camera and flash adjustments to be done. This means that under and over exposed photographs as well as blurred photographs become not only an acceptable standard but a desired one. These shots that come out blurred or partly in focus are considered artistic.

How To Decide Between Traditional and Photojournalistic Wedding Photography Styles
From reading the above, you may already know which style appeals most to you. If so, go for it! Make sure you let us know which style you prefer. If you are unsure, it is most likely that you like aspects from both traditional and photojournalistic styles; timeless wedding shots as well as a complete photo journal of your wedding day. If this is the case, it is best to choose a wedding photographer that is talented in both photojournalistic and traditional photography styles. When searching for your wedding photographer, please be aware that it takes a talented photographer to combine the 2 styles since they are complete opposites. The traditional photography style requires a more advanced level of camera and lighting knowledge as well as more experience with directing people than photojournalistic photography. It is much easier for a traditional photographer to shoot in a photojournalistic manner. This means that you must make sure if you choose a self proclaimed photojournalistic photographer and ask him/her to shoot traditional shots, that you make sure that they have experience with the traditional style and ask to see at least some samples of their traditional work.

This blend of traditional wedding photography and photojournalistic wedding photography that we at Jolie Images use is quickly becoming the desired standard of brides today. The blend of the two main styles makes for beautiful memories and gives you the best of both worlds. You can have all of your important posed shots where you are sure to look your best, cherished shots of your friends and family as well as beautiful, artistic, candid shots that capture the feel and emotion of the moment.